Story & Photos By Jim Clark (The Hot Rod MD) The article “Drive Shaft Harmonics” in Hot Rod MD explains how to set up the pinion angle on a rear end differential. It states in the process that the next step is to measure the rear end pinion angle. “It should be pointing upward towards… Continue reading Setting Pinion Angle

WHAT:Selecting a rearend gear ratio (ring & pinion set) to provide the desired highway cruising speed, 60—65 MPH, for a modern hot rod. HOW:A number of factors must be considered when selecting a rearend gear ratio (ring & pinion set). Tire diameter, transmission choice (with or without overdrive) and desired highway cruising speed. Tire diameter… Continue reading Gearing/Gear Ratios

Transmission Gear Ratios Chart:     1st 2nd 3rd 4th TH-350 2.52 1.52 1.00   TH-400 2.48 1.48 1.00   TH-2004R 2.74 1.57 1.00 0.67 4L80E 2.48 1.48 1.00 0.75 TH-700R4 3.06 1.62 1.00 0.70 4l60E 3.06 1.62 1.00 0.70 AOD 2.40 1.46 1.00 0.67 518 2.45 1.45 1.00 0.69   This information should only… Continue reading Transmission Gear Ratio Chart

WHAT:  A solid steel or hollow steel/aluminum tube that transmits rotational power from the output shaft at the rear of the transmission to the input/pinion shaft in the rear differential.  The solid steel or hollow steel shaft with outer housing (closed driveline) is usually housed inside a tube bolted to the rearend at the pinion shaft… Continue reading Drive Shaft Basics by Jim Clark, Hot Rod M.D.

What: Solving the problem of driveline vibration. Driveline geometry. The process that can be used to address a condition called driveline/universal joint cancellation, often referred to as adjusting pinion angle. This process can be used to eliminate the vibration and premature wear caused by improper orientation and phasing of the driveline. This condition is caused because… Continue reading Drive Shaft Harmonics Driveline/Universal Joint Cancellation By: Jim Clark, Hot Rod M.D.

SETTING UP A HYDRAULIC CLUTCH RELEASE BEARINGArticle Courtesy of Speedway Motors 1 – This special tool from Speedway Motors makes it easy to set up a hydraulic clutch release bearing on a GM-based transmission. 2 – To install the hydraulic release bearing, you first need to replace the transmission bearing retainer bolt in the 2… Continue reading Clutch – Setting up a Hydraulic Clutch Release Bearing from Speedway Motors

How to Measure for a Drive Shaftby Inland Empire Driveline Service Many people wonder how it is possible for a company to build a drive shaft that fits a car they can’t see. Inland Empire Drive Line Service has been doing this for more than twenty years and knows how to get it right the… Continue reading Measuring for a New Driveshaft by Inland Empire Driveline Service

Chart provided by: Phoenix Transmission

There are a number of high quality shifter kits offered for the wide variety of transmissions used when building a modern hot rod. They mount on top of, to the side of or at the rear of the transmission. One of these locations usually will place the shifter in the desired location in the vehicle.… Continue reading Installing a Hybrid Shifter Story & Photos By Jim Clark (The Hot Rod MD)